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Media releaseThursday 22 January 2026

Housing crisis fuelling intergenerational inequality

Housing crisis fuelling intergenerational inequality | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Housing crisis fuelling intergenerational inequality 2026-01-22 A new generation, Gen X, has taken over as Australia’s richest property owners , thanks to boomers downsizing and ‘passing on the baton’.

Meanwhile, house prices in all capital cities, apart from Canberra, are now at their highest-ever levels according to new data , with six capitals now in the 'million-dollar club'. The Greens say this is yet further proof of a housing crisis that’s spiralling out of control. Labor must wind back tax breaks for property investors, or younger first home buyers will continue to be locked out as housing inequality worsens.

Lines attributable to Australian Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock: “We don’t have a functioning housing system in Australia; we have a generational lottery, where young people are faced with a lifetime of renting, precarious leases, and a housing market rigged against them. Housing should not be an intergenerational tug-of-war.

"Australia's housing system is rigged for the wealthy; it’s a system designed to drive up the cost of housing, generating enormous wealth for the few while increasing rents for the many who haven’t won the generational lottery. Instead of everyone having a roof over their head, houses have become an investment asset class - which fuels intergenerational inequality.

“Massive tax breaks for wealthy property investors are cooking our housing system. Negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts let cashed-up investors outbid everyday Australians — and young people, single people, low income workers are the ones paying the price. “This is why the Greens have secured a Senate inquiry into intergenerational housing inequality The Greens’ inquiry will interrogate the full scope of Australia’s intergenerational housing inequality, including the $181b tax breaks for wealthy investors that are locking out first home buyers, as well as the political barriers to reform.

“We know tax breaks for wealthy property investors are a key driver of the housing crisis and intergenerational inequality but Labor refuses to act. This government has an opportunity to fix the housing crisis — but if they keep dodging real reform, they’ll lock a whole generation out of ever owning a home.” Media contact: Charlotta Lomas - 0466 339 862 Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

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SourceGreens Senator, Thursday 22 January 2026 — as lodgedTA-260122-greens-b2011edb34dc